I'm a Shanna ~ Vida Bonita

Recently I made a status update on facebook regarding something I had seen in the news. The thing is, on a nationwide scale, Oklahoma has a reputation for extremism in the right wing department and that's not something I am proud of. I would be equally disappointed if we had a senator that was on the left wing train to crazy town. Extremism is the single most revolting thing about politics for me, in either direction. I cringe when I think of Sarah Palin not so much based on her policies because I really don't care what she thinks, but because she represents the face of an extremest movement that doesn't even make sense and people just follow her because she holds the Republican stamp. Be objective people! Use your brain! Okay... soap box.

Well I had a friend comment on my status, which he's entitled to disagree with me. I shouldn't put it out there if I'm afraid of someone to disagree with me (although he missed my point entirely). However, I am FULLY entitled as a citizen, voter, tax payer, and facebook account holder to put anything regarding my opinion on facebook. If I want to say I think the earth is flat, I'm entitled to that, 'cause it's my facebook. This shouldn't invite hateful words. Maybe a correction, but if someone is really my friend, it's not EVER EVER their right to imply that I lack in intelligence or that I'm not a very good person, just because we disagree. This isn't a slam on this particular guy, it's on people in general and how they handle things. At the end of the day, we're all humans and deserve to be treated accordingly.

So after this event, Matt (who claims to be a Republican) and I had a conversation and talked through our positions. In reality, we agree on most political points. I told Matt how disgusted I am with the entire party system. It's a joke and limits progress. I told him, I'm not a party. I am a Shanna. I live my life and make decisions according to my own belief systems. I also call it like I see it. I'm going to stay registered as a Democrat because I want to vote in primary elections, and thus far they don't have a Shanna box to check.

This has been an eye opening experience for me. I have been harsh to people in the past and made judgements based on their political affiliation and comments. No more. That's hate filled and I'm not participating. I also refuse to allow anyone to degrade me because they disagree with me. If someone doesn't like what I have to say, don't read my blog. Heaven forbid you facebook defriend me. And just so you know, I'll let you see a brief summary of what the party of Shanna entails.

* Abortion is a non issue because there's not going to be a president brave enough to tackle the issue. Furthermore, it will never pass in the house and senate even it the bill was proposed. Finally, if you actually know someone who is dealing with this circumstance, love them as Christ would love them and don't judge. If you show them true compassion and that there's other choices, they may change their mind. If you don't know a person going through this, then mind your own business or start a charity. Either way, quit speaking words of hate. No one is pro-abortion.

* Taxes are inevitable. I don't get mad about this, 'cause there's nothing I can do about it. Do I like giving away my check? Well NO! Am I going to change anything by complaining about it in my living room? No. The party of Shanna has a firm understanding of how many services are used every day that are provided through taxes. Party of Shanna appreciates these services and realizes that they're necessary. The party of Shanna doesn't pretend that her entire tax payment goes to the people who abuse the welfare system because that's a small piece of the pie.

* Being part of the 1st generation on both sides of my family to abstain from serving in the military, the party of Shanna appreciates our troops and the sacrifice they make daily. The party of Shanna thinks this war has gone on too long, and questions the motives that initiated this war. However, still ever the patriot and would never vote to reduce military funding.

* Stem cell research makes good science sense. Population is also too high for world carrying capacity before too long. This creates a moral struggle. Party of Shanna believes in science over opinions.

* Party of Shanna thinks that no matter your economic class, all people deserve health care. We can either force people to buy health care, or we can pay for it through our taxes because those who don't have health care go to the emergency room. Whatever, I don't care how it pans out. I just think how much money you have shouldn't determine if you live or die.

* Wouldn't legalized marijuana just make sense? This is a non issue to the party of Shanna because the current members of the party of Shanna have never partaken in such activities. However, it seems like it would be a good way to generate tax dollars, regulate the substance, and probably decrease it's desirability because it's no longer "risky." Makes sense to me since legal or not, pot heads are everywhere. And Willie can only go to jail so many times. We need his music!

* Don't Ask Don't Tell feels like a non issue to me. It's 2010. Maybe only currently active members of the military should have been able to vote on this one.

* The environment is VERY VERY important to the Party of Shanna. Remember when we talked about science? Well currently all members of the party of Shanna hold a degree in environmental science, and are 1 paper away from a Master's degree on the subject. There's a lot of things that make environmental/economic/social sense if all of the BS would stop getting in the way. Use your heads America! And it's not Global Warming, It's Global Climate Change. It's real. It's science.

Furthermore, Party of Shanna realizes that economics and sustainability can go hand in hand, if people use their heads.

* Ultimately, Party of Shanna is underlined by a firm moral conviction to do what's right for humanity. There is no price you can put on people and their well being. People win every time. The love of money is the root of all evil. Current members of the Party of Shanna participate in a daily and close relationship with the Lord. Party of Shanna can be flawed and even incorrect, but follows an undying principle to be the best it can be on a daily basis. Isn't that the point of life? Walk with the Lord and try each day to learn and be better than yesterday?

That wasn't brief at all, but now you know. Let me know if you'd like to join the party of Shanna and maybe we can petition to get it on registration cards.

Have a great New Year!